Experience Sampling Method

Experience sampling method (ESM) is a technique researchers use to collect data from people, while they are interacting in their daily settings, about experiences they are experiencing in real time and on repeated occasions. ESM involves researchers signaling research participants to report on the nature and quality of their experiences at that time and in their natural environment. An example of the ESM in communication research is the study of the impact of television viewing within communication in families. Respondents carried paging devices and were randomly signaled to fill out self-reports over the period of 1 week to measure the level of interaction family members had while watching television as compared with other activities. The main benefit of ESM is that participants are ...